USCIS Proposes New “Smart” Form I-9, Seeks Comments
December 1, 2015 | Written by Katy Lopez
We might soon see a new and improved version of Form I-9, the employment eligibility verification form that employers must complete for all new hires. The USCIS summarized its proposed changes to the I-9 on its website November 24, when it published a notice in the Federal Register. The public may provide comments on the proposed changes through January 25, 2016.
The bulk of the proposed changes are intended to help reduce technical errors made when completing the form, and to help customers download the form from the USCIS’ website and then fill it in on their computers. Some examples of proposed changes: Help text would appear for various fields, certain fields would be validated to ensure that information has been entered correctly (such as the correct number of digits for an SSN), and there would be new drop-down lists for the acceptable documents for Section 2.
However, the proposed form is not an electronic I-9 as defined by the regulations, meaning that employers still would need to print the form, obtain handwritten signatures, store in a safe place, and track for reverification when needed.
Employers must continue to use the current version of Form I-9 until the Office of Management and Budget approves the proposed version and it has been posted on the USCIS’ I-9 Central website.
